Library leaders ask for operating funds for East Side branch, highlight children's programs and digital access

Beth McIntyre, director of the Athens Regional Library System, and Rebecca Ballard, head of children's services, briefed commissioners on the library’s FY27 budget request and strategic plan through FY28.

Rebecca Ballard said the library ran more than 800 children's programs last year with about 30,000 child attendees and that children in Clarke County checked out nearly 150,000 books. “Kids in Athens checked out almost 150,000 books last year,” Ballard said, highlighting high usage of children's services and after‑school programs. McIntyre noted partnerships with social workers and University of Georgia interns who provided one‑on‑one assistance to more than 840 patrons facing housing, food and health needs.

The pair asked commissioners to support staffing and startup costs for a planned East Side Library slated to open in late summer or early fall of FY28. Library staff estimated initial staffing at three full‑time employees plus roughly nine part‑time positions (about 19 hours/week or less for part‑timers), with about $381,000 in projected salary costs and roughly $600,000 in initial operating costs including utilities and basic services.

Why it matters: the library’s service levels and planned East Side branch affect access to early‑literacy programming, technology and social‑service referrals across Clarke County. Commissioners pressed staff on state funding rules for library operations and asked that detailed budget lines be included in the shared budget folder for review.

Next steps: staff will add requested details to the budget packet and circulate financials for the East Side staffing and operating estimates.